Leo B. Pawelski

December 24, 2012

MUNISING, Mich. - Leo B. Pawelski, age 88, of Mirror Lake Road, Munising, and formerly of Inkster, Michigan, and Marco Island, Florida, died Wednesday, December 19, 2012, at Marquette General Hospital. He was born on September 20, 1924, in Detroit, Michigan, to Michael and Josephine (Percha) Pawelski.

Leo graduated from St. Alphonse High School in Dearborn, Michigan, in 1943. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II from April 22, 1944, until April 29, 1946. Leo served in all Theaters during WWII and was involved in campaigns in Central Europe and Rhineland. He earned the American Theater, European-African-Middle Eastern Theater, and Asiatic Pacific Theater Service Medals and also the Good Conduct Medal.

After the War, he married Colette McCaffery in June of 1947 and together they raised their two children. They were members of St. Norbert Church in Inkster. Leo went to work for the Railroad in 1947 and retired in 1977 spending most of those thirty years as Switchman or Conductor. He and Colette moved to Marco Island, Florida for twenty-one years. They were married fifty-four years when Colette preceded him in death in May of 2001. Leo has spent the last ten years living with his brother Bob in the Munising area. He enjoyed boxing when he was in the Army, golfing, bowling, ice skating, and playing at the casino.

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Leo B. Pawelski

Leo is survived by his son, Leo Pawelski, Jr. of Inkster, Michigan; his daughter, Eileen (Garland Benson) Russell of Willis, Michigan; brothers, Lou Pawelski of Montana and Robert "Bob" Pawelski of Mirror Lake; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, sister Dorothy Smithson, and brothers Joe and Al Pawelski.

Services will be held at St. Hedwig Cemetery in Dearborn Heights at a later date. Leo's obituary and guestbook may be viewed and signed at www.bowermanfuneralhome.net